Some of Iowa's first legal hemp crops set on fire because THC exceeds federal limits USA TODAY
https://amp-usatoday-com.cdn.ampproject.org/
DES MOINES, Iowa – Jay Kata's first hemp crop went up in smoke.
The plants grown by him and his farming partners in southeast Iowa were mowed down, windrowed – then set ablaze.
What remained was tilled under after the field became "too hot": The level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis plants like hemp) exceeded state and federal limits.
"It was pretty heartbreaking," said Kata, who was among nearly 90 Iowans this year who set out to produce the state's first government-authorized crop of hemp, a close relative of marijuana.
.....About 13% of Iowa farmers' hemp fields had to be fully or partially destroyed because the THC levels in the plants exceeded 0.3%, the maximum allowed under state and federal laws.
Kata said he believes the THC levels in his 2 acres of plants spiked because they became stressed, fighting against weeds for sunlight and nutrients. Testing showed THC levels were nearly three times the allowed limit, he said.
Pruisner encourages hemp farmers to have their crops privately tested to prevent THC levels from rising beyond the maximum allowed. The state tests fields before farmers harvest them to ensure they're within the required limit.
The state performed 119 initial tests on hemp fields and 103 passed; 16 fields failed and were fully or partially destroyed.
Seed varieties, growing conditions and soil types, among other factors, can result in wide differences in when hemp should be harvested to remain under the required THC level, Pruisner said.
Similar story:
https://hempgazette.com/news/iowa-he...uction-hg1317/
I've heard crops in certain areas just sitting with the glut of product, unable to move it.
Whatever the market will bear, right?
Interested in hearing what others think.
https://amp-usatoday-com.cdn.ampproject.org/
DES MOINES, Iowa – Jay Kata's first hemp crop went up in smoke.
The plants grown by him and his farming partners in southeast Iowa were mowed down, windrowed – then set ablaze.
What remained was tilled under after the field became "too hot": The level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis plants like hemp) exceeded state and federal limits.
"It was pretty heartbreaking," said Kata, who was among nearly 90 Iowans this year who set out to produce the state's first government-authorized crop of hemp, a close relative of marijuana.
.....About 13% of Iowa farmers' hemp fields had to be fully or partially destroyed because the THC levels in the plants exceeded 0.3%, the maximum allowed under state and federal laws.
Kata said he believes the THC levels in his 2 acres of plants spiked because they became stressed, fighting against weeds for sunlight and nutrients. Testing showed THC levels were nearly three times the allowed limit, he said.
Pruisner encourages hemp farmers to have their crops privately tested to prevent THC levels from rising beyond the maximum allowed. The state tests fields before farmers harvest them to ensure they're within the required limit.
The state performed 119 initial tests on hemp fields and 103 passed; 16 fields failed and were fully or partially destroyed.
Seed varieties, growing conditions and soil types, among other factors, can result in wide differences in when hemp should be harvested to remain under the required THC level, Pruisner said.
Similar story:
https://hempgazette.com/news/iowa-he...uction-hg1317/
I've heard crops in certain areas just sitting with the glut of product, unable to move it.
Whatever the market will bear, right?
Interested in hearing what others think.